Anti-Park lawmakers defect from S. Korea ruling party

South Korea's ruling party has officially split after scores of supporters of the impeachment of scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye defected and formed their own party.

A group of 29 lawmakers on Tuesday defected the ruling Saenuri Party, accusing it of defending Park, whom they described as the "worst-ever" offender against constitutional order.

"Our departure will provide momentum to turn the country's tragic incident -- the impeachment of its president -- into chances for the development of democracy," the lawmakers said.

They also slammed the party’s leadership for refusing to embrace reforms despite the political crisis that hit South Korea after Park became embroiled in a corruption scandal.

The defections left the ruling party with only 99 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly, making it the second largest party in the chamber behind the liberal Democratic Party.

The defected lawmakers are among more than 60 Saenuri lawmakers who supported a parliamentary motion to impeach Park, which was passed overwhelmingly on December 9.

The first female president of the East Asian country has been accused of involvement in an influence-peddling case.

She allegedly colluded with long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil to pressure major corporations to contribute money to non-profit foundations that supported presidential initiatives. Park and Choi have denied any wrongdoing.

SS